“Misses, we are Beach Patrol Squad Two, responsible for today’s cleanup work.”
The soldier spoke earnestly.
This elite Demon Tribe Soldier squad averaged over two meters tall, so they had to bend down when speaking to the girls, their armor clanking loudly.
“You don’t need to add ‘Miss’ to our titles. It sounds a bit strange.”
Celes replied.
“Patrol and cleanup work?”
“Yes. We patrol all areas of the beach, especially where there are fisherfolk, to ensure their safety while fishing. If we spot Sirens, we either slay or drive them away. That’s why it’s called cleanup work.”
He answered in detail, his words clear—obviously well-trained.
Ella was very satisfied.
She stepped forward and said, “Celes, why don’t you go with them and check it out? Maybe spar with some Sirens and relax a bit.”
A gentle way to say “kill a few Sirens to blow off steam.”
Celes wondered if that was really okay, but since Ella recommended it repeatedly, she agreed.
“Thank you for your efforts.”
She said to the Demon Tribe Soldiers.
The patrol area was nearby—not far—just a short walk away.
The girl picked up her ornate sword and followed, becoming a temporary member of the patrol squad.
Ella watched their figures depart.
“Little Ai, you’re pushing her to go so much. Are you planning to do something with us?”
Vina leaned over and asked.
Ella tugged at the corner of her mouth.
“Don’t talk nonsense. I just think Celes has been under a lot of stress lately, and I worry she’ll burn out. So I recommended a way for her to relax, that’s all.”
“Is that so? Actually, I think you have an even better way to relieve stress. Want to know?”
“…I don’t want to know.”
Without the little witch saying it, Lala already knew what she meant.
Such was the wisdom of the Demon King.
Compared to Celes, who needed a fight to decompress, the other two girls truly relaxed.
It was rare to visit the seaside—last time, they’d spent all their time battling Sea Demon Priests and hadn’t enjoyed the beach at all.
Now, there were no Sea Demon Priests, no Evil God summoning plots—only little things washed ashore by the waves.
“Ella, look, shells.”
Leah held up two pale white scallops.
“Don’t they look familiar?”
“Pearl Oyster raw material.”
Ella recognized them at a glance.
Once the currency of Harbor City, Pearl Oysters used to be the only treasures on the beach.
All Beachcomber Fishermen woke early every day to collect them.
But times changed.
Now, no one wanted them, even if left on the ground.
Only the tides washed them ashore and took them back again.
Leah picked up two, blew off the sand, quietly offered a blessing prayer, and brought the lustrous shells back to Ella.
“See? After a little cleaning, Pearl Oysters look beautiful—white and shiny.”
Ella’s attention was on the patrol squad, so she responded half-heartedly.
“Mm, mm.”
“I’m thinking, since these Pearl Oysters can emit white light under certain conditions, aren’t they similar to the luminous plants in the Forest of the Elves?”
“Mm, mm.”
“If so, I have an idea—grind the cleaned Pearl Oysters into white jade powder and make an adhesive for building repairs.”
“Mm, mm.”
“For example, your statue—if you coat it, it might even glow at night.”
“Mm, mm…eh?”
While the Saintess shared her wild ideas, the Assassin Girl was quietly crafting nearby.
There were no soft flowers to pick up on the beach—only hard coral—but as they say, if there are no conditions, create them.
Zero picked up a few colorful pieces of coral, took out a small knife, and carefully carved them.
She wanted to make a flower for Ella.
Each girl had her own way of spending time on the beach.
Celes was no exception.
Following the patrol squad for a short while, she suddenly heard a clamor.
Seven or eight Fishmen rushed ashore, trying to attack some nearby fisherfolk.
The patrol squad drew their weapons with a clang and prepared to charge, but a cold flash swept past—five meters of Crescent Sword Energy slashed sideways, instantly decapitating the three leading Fishmen.
Blue-green blood splattered everywhere.
The Fishmen behind froze in terror.
Their small brains couldn’t process whether to advance or retreat.
While they hesitated, a second Crescent Sword Energy swept in, taking a few more fish heads.
Puh-puh. Puh-puh. Puh-puh.
The sound of fish heads hitting the ground.
The last two Fishmen finally tried to flee, but the patrol squad blocked their retreat and cut them down.
“Thank you, thank you, it’s all thanks to you again today.”
A few fisherfolk carrying bamboo baskets approached.
“Good thing you’re here. Which squad is on duty today?”
“Squad Two.”
“I see, I see…huh? Why is there a little girl in Squad Two? And she’s so strong.”
An old fisherman eyed Celes.
“Could it be… you’re one of the legendary five girl warriors? Have you returned?”
He put down his basket, insisting on giving her a gift.
“This—Big Blue Fish—the biggest catch today!”
Celes tried to refuse, saying she was only there to relax and couldn’t accept the fish since she had no way to carry it back or process it on the spot.
The old fisherman turned and tried to give it to the Demon Tribe Soldiers.
“Take it. You usually won’t.”
“Which is why we can’t accept it today either—we still have patrol work.”
Watching the Demon Tribe Soldiers and human fisherfolk mingle harmoniously, Celes felt a strange mix of emotions.
Is this what the world is like?
“Actually, this was our job in the past.”
A voice came from behind.
“Thank you, Miss Celes, for letting us return to those days.”
The girl turned and saw the bald general with only one eye.
She remembered his name—Gumu.
“Don’t thank me,”
Celes replied quietly.
“It was Ella who sent you.”
“Lady Ella said that if you didn’t agree,”
Gumu’s single eye widened, grave and sincere.
“We could never have come, no matter what.”
Is that so?
So she cares about my feelings that much.
Celes felt her mood lift a little.
She thought for a moment, then asked:
“You said this was your job in the past?”
“Yes. Back when the Demon King still ruled, Lady Ella made all the policies and decisions. She urged us to prioritize production and construction. The army had to participate in things like patrols and resolving issues that hindered productivity. That was our daily life.”
At this, Gumu sighed deeply.
“Such a pity…”